DSI Staged this Living Room for a Model Home

Staging is a vital part of getting a home ready for sale.  But since a staged home is calmer, less cluttered, and more attractive, many people are staging their homes to live a more comfortable life.  Whether you are planning to put your home on the market, or you simply want a more beautiful living space, you can use these home staging tips to achieve success.

Step number one is clearing the clutter.  Make your house as clean and organized as possible.  A cluttered, overstuffed home sends a message to potential buyers – and to your own psyche – that there isn’t enough space and storage in the home.

When it comes to paint colors, choose warm hues.  Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that all walls need to be white in order to be neutral.  But white tends to look unfinished and cold.  Look for warm colors, based on reds, oranges, and yellows.  Using soft tints of these colors will make a space feel inviting.

Lighting is a crucial part of a well-staged home.  A well-lit home feels more cheerful and attractive.  Make sure the windows are clean to allow as much sunlight in as possible.  In dark rooms, add high-hat lights.  If installed lighting is impossible, make sure you have several lamps with high-voltage bulbs.  Replace dark-colored lampshades with lighter ones so light is not blocked.

A simple – but very effective – decorating strategy is to update cabinet knobs.  Replacing knobs and hardware in the kitchen or bathroom is easy and inexpensive, and can transform the entire room.

Look for ways to highlight the most positive features in your home.  Emphasize focal points by arranging furniture around them.  Create vignettes that draw the eye to the most attractive elements of your house, like picture windows, fireplaces, and unusual architecture.

Remember that first impressions are critical.  Take a good, hard look at how it feels to drive up to your home, walk up to the front door, and enter.  Is there anything that blocks your way?  Do you need to clean up the yard?  What lighting can you add?  The entrance to your home sends a very strong message to potential buyers, and it evokes long-lasting emotions in the home’s residents, as well.  Improve your curb appeal, front door, and entrance hall, and you are sure to have a home that feels more inviting and comfortable.

Call DSI today at 301-317-7855 or e-mail us at interiors@designschemeinteriors.com.  To your home staging success!

Design Associate, Kerry Kopasek

As a Design Associate with Design Scheme Interiors, LLC, our newest design team member, Kerry Kopasek is changing the world one room at a time!

With her education in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Science degree, Kerry’s experience spans both the residential and commercial worlds. Whether embarking on a small project or large, one room or an entire house, one office or an entire business complex, Kerry initiates the project by gaining a sense of her client’s style and functional needs. From obtaining the simplicity of Zen living to modern design or the implementation of cutting edge style to the creation of carefree living in your space, Kerry brings the world around her alive with originality while focused on the client’s unique style. Her projects are also resourceful as she is considerate of the earth’s natural resources. Kerry is knowledgeable of the many products that are Green, cost-effective, and aesthetically attractive. Kerry understands that a person’s environment affects their everyday mood, peace of mind, pleasure, productivity, and overall satisfaction with life. Kerry takes great pride in every project she delivers. Making design visions come true, from concept to completion, this is one innovator you want creating your space.

DSI used decorative plates for this client's breakfast nook.

Plates are an inexpensive, colorful way to add decoration to a room.  Take your most attractive ones out of the cabinets, and use these ideas to display them in your home.

1.   Use plate hangers to arrange an arch of plates above a bed, the mantel, or a doorway.

2.   Purchase small easels or specialty plate easels, so you can display decorative plates on any shelf or table.

3.   Display plates, bowls, and glasses neatly in a glass-fronted cabinet.  To add extra drama, paint the interior of the cupboard in a contrasting color.  Items will pop and look especially beautiful.

4.   Plate easels can also be employed in the glass cabinets so you see the decorative front part of the plates, instead of just the sides.

5.   Line your plates up artistically on a counter.

6.    Hang solid-colored plates on a patterned wall.  The solid colors will really pop.  But if the plate has an intricate design, make sure you hang it on a solid background.

7.     Arrange plates and bowls on open, stacked shelves.  Distribute color and size around the arrangement evenly.

8.     Coordinating dishes can be displayed on a specialty plate rack, and hung as artwork.

9.     To add a touch of formality, arrange plates on the wall in a symmetrical pattern.

10.  Make use of your unmatched dishware.  Place single plates under plants as decorative saucers.  Use an odd teacup or bowl for a flower arrangement.  Use a pretty plate in the bathroom as a soap dish.

The right lighting will add drama to any plate display.  Make sure that room lighting is not pointed directly towards a hanging plate, or it may cause a glare.  Turn on the lights in the display cabinet.  If your cabinet doesn’t have lighting, you can install low-voltage lights, or even attach an inexpensive stick-up type.

It’s a shame to keep beautiful tableware out of sight.  Find unique ways to display your items so you and your guests can enjoy them every day.

Call DSI today for an accessory consultation at 301-317-7855 or e-mail at interiors@designschemeinteriors.com!

DECORATING ON A BUDGET THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

Design Scheme Interiors, the tri-state area’s top interior designers, keep their finger on the pulse of what’s hot and what’s not in design and décor. Being financially concious is definitely the trend for this 2009 holiday season. Here are some budget friendly tips from DSI to help inspire your creative decorative juices. We recommend using these tips around the home, office or at your holiday party.

Tip #1

Shop around the house!

Take a look around your home, what items do you have that match the current holiday season colors? Let’s use Thanksgiving as our holiday example. Traditionally oranges, yellows, reds, and browns are used to represent this holiday season. Search your home and start collecting items that fall into this color scheme… don’t forget to check your closets, basement and/or attic! Grab anything and everything you currently own that falls into the color scheme: brown candleholders, orange trinkets, cranberries from your fridge (fill a large vase with cranberries), yellow or red curtains (curtains can be used for purposes other than covering your windows, ex: table cloth), basically anything that falls into your desired color scheme. Most likely, you will not use all the items you find, but you will be surprised once you have everything together what you combine and come up with for this season’s holiday decor.

Tip #2

Go green and shop outside!

Don’t be afraid to bring the outside in. Once again we will use Thanksgiving as our holiday example. This holiday, as well as others, have so much to do with history and the season the holiday happens to fall under. Use what is available, and FREE, from the outdoors to create beautiful ambiance within your home. Create a center/mantel piece and/or room focal point by, 1^st: Filling a vase with colorful cranberries, oranges, or rocks from your garden. 2^nd: Fill in with water. 3^rd: Grab sticks from outside and mist with gold spray paint. 4^th: Place the sticks in the vase and then place in your home. To create smaller points of interest around the home: create a bundle of small sticks and wrap the sticks in the thickness of your liking in orange, brown and red ribbon. Place the bundles of sticks around your home for pops of color. Be inspired and get creative in the great outdoors!

Tip #3

Potluck Décor!

We have all heard of potluck dinners, but what about potluck décor? If you are hosting a party or dinner this season have each person bring a center piece. Depending on how large your guest list is this year, you might want to place the center pieces all over your home for larger groups or place them all together on the dinning table for the smaller groups. The idea is to have everyone pitch in on the décor… have them bring a dish as well to make this holiday a complete “Potluck Party.”

To make this potluck décor interesting, tell your guests you will be having a competition for the best and worst center piece.

Some inexpensive prizes for the winner could include:

• $1 scratch off lottery tickets,
• “First Dibs” rights all night (first to be served at dinner, first to be served wine, first to be served desert, etc..)
• “Best Seating” privileges (ex: best seats at the dinner table, best seats while relaxing and digesting that amazing meal you cooked)
• And the best prize of all… relinquished of all clean-up duties!

Involving your guests in the potluck décor, food and/or competition, adds a little extra fun to your event as well as that much needed holiday color!

Tip #4

Change your shopping routine.

If you decide to shop for new items this year, check your local dollar store or craft store before purchasing new items at the more expensive department stores. Many craft stores have items for under a dollar available. When buying and decorating with smaller items, think repetition. Use repetition of color, shape, tones and number of items. Use the rule of three when working with small items; place three items together for one focal point. If you decide to purchase small bundles of imitation foliage to place around your home make sure the colors don’t clash with your current décor.

Design Scheme Interiors is only a phone call away, if you have any questions about interior design projects you would like to get started, just give us a call. We hope these tips are helpful and fun for you, your family and friends. Have a wonderful holiday season!

While looking for the perfect chandelier for a Feng Shui design client recently,  we stumbled upon Oly Studio’s Serena Bowl Chandelier in the Capiz Shell.

We absolutely love the color the roundness and the opulence this will bring our client’s Feng Shui redesigned dining room.  Oly Studio is a great find for the unusual and unique.

Oly Studio was founded in Berkeley, California in 1999 by designers Kate McIntyer and Brad Huntzinger.  Oly’s furniture and accessories present a fresh blend of clean lines and antique motifs.  Blending the traditional with the contemporary, Oly provides our clients with a style that works well in a wide range of environments.

Design Scheme Interiors, LLC is proud to be a dealer of Oly Studio products.  Call us today to order something special and unique for your home 301-317-7855.

The design team of Schemm and Ways have done it again!  In the Uptown Magazine October/November 2009 issue, Washington, DC local edition, the team is listed in their HOT List!   This is the second year in a row they have been listed!

While it may be a nice dream to transform the whole house and redecorate for every season or holiday, the truth is that most of us don’t have the time or resources.  But we still want a festive look in our homes.  The good news is that it only takes a few small, well-placed accessories to create a completely new look and evoke the joyous mood of the season.

Before you run out and purchase expensive accessories, look around your home to see what you already have.  Chances are that you have everything you need to create your own unique, personal decorations.

Create “custom” window treatments.  Have fun creating your own personal treatments for the windows at holiday time.  Ideas?  Hang paper snowflakes from invisible wire so they hang at different levels across the window.  Swag garland from the top corners.  Create illuminated valances by hanging a string of icicle lights from the top of each window (there are window-sized sets made specifically for this purpose).

Spruce up the entryway.  A festive entrance will create the perfect first impression.  What can you do to surprise and delight guests as they walk in the front door?  A floor mat in seasonal colors welcomes visitors with holiday cheer.  Fresh flowers always add comfort and brightness.  How about hanging decorative ribbon from the entry chandelier?

Got candles? Take wide pillar candles and wrap them in ribbon, flexible twigs, or thin garland.  Arrange candles in groups of three to create a lovely holiday display on any table.  When guests are visiting, light the candles and turn down the lights for a warm, holiday atmosphere.

Create a centerpiece.  A simple holiday centerpiece will inspire a cheerful, festive mood.  Grab a large container, and fill it with colorful fruit or flowers.  Use a flat platter to display metallic ornaments.   Or create a “gift centerpiece” for extra excitement and color.  To make this centerpiece, wrap small, empty boxes in holiday paper or in colors to match your room’s décor.  Decorate each box with ribbons and bows.  Then place the “gifts” in a decorative container, or arrange them in the center of the table with fresh pine greenery.

You may be amazed at how easily and quickly you can add holiday cheer to your home!

Centerpieces are not just for dinner parties.  They are often the focal point of a room.  If you want to go beyond the traditional bouquet of flowers, here are some great tips and ideas for creating an outstanding table.

First decide if you want to go bold and dramatic, or subtle and understated.  If you are looking to create a statement, go for bold.

Next, think about your purpose.  Are you looking to create a whole new mood in the room?  Do you want to add a splash of color?  Do you want to simply finish off a table that looks vast and empty?  Or are you just decorating for a special occasion?  When you know your main reason for adding a table centerpiece, the choice will be easier.

Centerpiece ideas:

Statues

Large figurines or busts make wonderful focal points for a table.  You can place a single substantial one in the center, or position several figures of varying sizes and shapes together.

Pedestals

While pedestals are traditionally placed on the ground, small columns and pedestals are perfect for the table.  They can be used alone, or you can rest other accessories on the tops of them.

Birdcages

This will create a light, sweet mood.  Birdcages come in many materials, colors, and sizes.  They can be painted to match your room’s décor.  You can fill a birdcage with flowers or candles.  If you plan on lighting the candles, make sure the birdcage is made of a non-flammable material.

Floating candles

Candles always make for a lovely mood, but floating candles are even more unique.  They come in unlimited shapes and colors to match any décor.  Float a group of them in an attractive container.  Or fill several goblets with water, and place one floating candle in each for a truly elegant look.

There are no rules when it comes to decorating your table, so don’t forget to use your creativity.  If you think out-of-the-box, your centerpiece will be not only beautiful, but also truly unique and personal.

Washingtonian Magazine:

What kind of accents/decorations can you put up to make things look festive, but not tacky?

DSI: Use faux Christmas gifts- wrapping empty boxes in color paper and bows, is a colorful and inexpensive way to make your decor look festive. Also consider placing wrapping paper and bows over family photo frames that are already displayed on the wall. Choose wrapping paper that carefully coordinates with the colors and patterns of whatever room you are decorating.

Washingtonian Magazine:

If I’m having a dinner party for the holidays, is there anything you recommend to make the dinner table or dining area look more festive?

DSI: Consider using candles! Candles are affordable and can be purchased from a variety of retailers from Dollar Stores to Pier Right now there are a variety of choices available in different colors, shapes and sizes. Arrange candles in interesting groupings as centerpieces, or place in a single row of tapered candles directly along the center of your dining table. Candles provide intimate light, room for food and a clean, sophisticated decoration choice!
Washingtonian Magazine:

How can you accent your home for the holidays on a budget?

DSI: Holiday food is very colorful from fruit, candy to nuts. Take advantage of your holiday food choices by arranging each dish colorfully and with a variety of interest. Cookie platters can be displayed with green and red holiday candy such as peppermints! Pine cones and cranberries can dress up other dishes.
Washingtonian Magazine:  If you have a small apartment (a studio or a little one bedroom) but you still want to spice things up for the holidays, what kind of decorations do you recommend?

DSI: I would recommend large glass vases filled with colorful, festive Christmas tree bulb ornaments. Make sure the ornaments are small enough to place in the glass vase. Place them around your home, on your fireplace mantel, sofa table or side tables. This provides a simple, yet elegant decoration that spices your space up for the holidays.

Washingtonian Magazine: If you could recommend only one holiday decoration, what would it be?

DSI: A simple live Evergreen Wreath for the front door. The pine scent will welcome visitors and place all who enter in the holiday spirit.

Great artwork is a means of expression and a type of spiritual communion between artist and viewer.  Art has always been an integral part of interiors and can include a variety of forms- paintings, sculpture, drawings and prints.  These kind of pieces add great distinction and individuality to interiors because their selections represent personal taste and experience.

Obtaining art for our homes is a matter or personal taste, but the more we learn about art, the greater our level of enjoyment and appreciation.  The design of a home is a reflection of personal style, and the art chosen for such settings should also be a statement of discrimination and taste.

The collections of art that you have started need to be accented and acknowledged in your home.  Each piece brings a sense of uniqueness to your personal taste and lifestyles.  For instance, for the traditional art collector, their home should reflect the traditional theme presented by their artwork, and the same would be true for contemporary collectors.  Not all art will be categorized under one design theme, and if this is the case, it is necessary to reflect both themes in your interior design as well.  Ways to accomplish this would be through color selection, furniture design and accessories, that coordinate, not necessarily match, with the artwork displayed.

Artful Living Room Designed by DSI

Call DSI today at 301-317-7855 or e-mail:  interiors@designschemeinteriors.com  to have an in-home consultation on how to best express your art pieces in your interior.